Raymond lay on his bed, watching a movie. Halfway through the film, he realized that he hadn't called Rosie yet.
"Since I didn't drop her off, I'm supposed to call her, right?" he asked himself.
Despite the late hour, he decided to call her, and she answered the phone.
"Hey," she answered, sounding sleepy.
"Hi," Raymond replied. "Were you sleeping?"
"Yes, I was."
"Oh, I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep."
"It's okay. So, why did you call me?" Rosie asked.
"I wanted to make sure you got home safely."
Rosie burst into laughter, failing to control herself and making too much noise.
"What's so funny?" Raymond asked, surprised by her outburst.
"I left your house two or three hours ago, and you're only calling me now," she said, still giggling.
"Honestly, I forgot," Raymond admitted.
"Were you busy after I left?"
"Yeah. I had a visitor."
"It was your girlfriend, right? You said you wanted to be alone with her."
"Yes. I invited her over."
"Alright. That's good."
"Yeah."
"Well, I got home safely, so I guess it's time to say goodnight," Rosie said.
"Uh...yes...I guess so. Goodnight."
"You too," Rosie said, yawning.
Raymond ended the call and let out a sigh, turning off the TV.
The next day was Saturday, and Rosie decided to make breakfast for herself and her sister. She hoped to ease her mom's stress. As she began preparing breakfast, a thought crossed her mind, and she paused for a moment, lost in thought.
"I wonder what happened," she said out loud.
"What happened to who?" her mom asked, entering the kitchen.
Rosie was startled by her mom's presence.
"Mom! I didn't see you there. What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Um...it's my kitchen?"
"Oh. Yeah. I want to make breakfast for me and Emerald," Rosie said, explaining her plan.
"You want to cook? Are you feeling okay? You hate cooking," her mom pointed out.
Rosie has always disliked cooking, from prepping the ingredients to cleaning up after cooking.
"I still hate it. I'm making a sandwich and coffee for breakfast."
"Were you planning on giving Emerald coffee?" her mom asked.
"Hell no! She said she wants cereal," Rosie said.
"By the way, you look good today. Are you going somewhere?" Rosie complimented her mom.
Mrs. Anderson was wearing a white silky shirt and fitted blue jeans that flattered her curvy figure. Her hair was styled in a high ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup that made her long lashes stand out.
"I am always beautiful. That's why you are beautiful," Mrs. Anderson responded with a smile.
Rosie's mom wasn't wrong. Rosie looked eighty percent like her mom - long curls, amber eyes, pouty lips, a button nose, and glossy skin. Mrs. Anderson was in her mid-forties but looked like she was in her early thirties. She had a flat tummy, skinny waist, thick hips, and a curved butt. The perfect figure! All these qualities, and no wrinkles on her face.
"I wish I had your dimples and long lashes. And also your flat tummy," Rosie said wistfully.
Mrs. Anderson moved towards the refrigerator to get a canned drink.
"You also have a flat tummy, dear. What's so special about it anyway?"
"Oh, do you want a bulging tummy?" Rosie teased.
"Doesn't sound bad."
"I have a flat stomach that isn't 'natural'. I had to work for it. Don't you remember I spent most of my summer working out and dieting? Yours is natural. You can eat whatever you like, whenever you like. I have to work for mine. I'm your daughter, and it's not fair," Rosie feigned annoyance.
"Haha! I'm not responsible for that."
"By the way, are you heading somewhere?" Rosie asked her mom.
"Yes. I'm off to the gym. I want to register so I can resume workouts on Monday."
"Why do you need to work out? You look fit already," Rosie asked.
"It doesn't mean I'm fit just because I look fit, girl. Don't judge a book by its cover. Besides, I'm joining the gym because working out is therapeutic for me. I have a lot on my mind right now, and I'm confused," Mrs. Anderson sighed.
"Mom..." Rosie moved closer to her. "What's wrong?"
"Oh dear, it's nothing much."
"What are you confused about?" Rosie asked her mom.
"About what I need to clear my head and mind. Maybe it's a workout at the gym, a spa session, a talk with a counselor or therapist, a vacation, or even..." Her mom's voice trailed off.
"Even what?" Rosie asked curiously.
"Even sex," her mom said matter-of-factly.
"Mom! Eww!! How can you talk about sex in the presence of your teenage daughter?" Rosie taunted Mrs. Anderson.
"I only said sex. You have a dirty mind."
Rosie moved away from her mom, walking to another part of the kitchen to get a cereal bowl.
"Have you had sex before?" her mother asked, and the question hit Rosie like a bombshell.
"Nope. Never," Rosie nervously replied.
"I wasn't expecting a reply from you. I thought you'd say..." her mom paused to mimic Rosie, "Privacy, mom! Privacy!"
"Sex shouldn't be taken lightly, okay? When it's time for you, make sure it's with the right person, okay?" her mom advised.
"Can we stop talking about it already? It's making me super uncomfortable!" Rosie shrugged her shoulders, trying to change the topic.
"I'll be back before lunchtime. Emerald said she invited some of her friends for a playdate. Since I won't be around, please watch the kids. It's only today."
"I hate babysitting, but okay. Just for today. It's not like I have any other plans."
"When will you and Desmond start dating? Isn't it time already?" her mom asked.
"Privacy, mom! Privacy!" Rosie replied.
Her mom sighed and shook her head. "These teenagers!"
"Bye, mom."
"I think I'll have cereal. I'm too lazy to make sandwiches right now," Rosie yawned and said, continuing with her breakfast.